Question
It’s quite common for children to sweat while they’re sleeping, as they have more developed sweat glands and the secretion is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the vagus nerve. After falling asleep, the vagus nerve becomes excited, leading to increased sweating, which is usually concentrated on the head and face. However, this usually resolves within one to two hours after sleep. If excessive sweating continues after sleep and the amount is significant, it could be due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction or possibly a calcium deficiency.
Answer
It’s normal for children to sweat while they’re sleeping, as they have more developed sweat glands and the secretion is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the vagus nerve. After falling asleep, the vagus nerve becomes excited, leading to increased sweating, which is usually concentrated on the head and face. However, this usually resolves within one to two hours after sleep. If excessive sweating continues after sleep and the amount is significant, it could be due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction or possibly a calcium deficiency.